pay differences in military?

[pauljeekim]

i am committed to doing the hpsp program, and am still debating between the air force and army. however, there seems to be a discrepancy between what an O-3 will make in the two branches. the air force recruiter says between 65k to 70k and the army recruiter says between 57k and 63k.

i am somewhat confused because some army residents that i have talked to by phone have also confirmed that their counterparts in the air force make a little bit more. can someone clarify the different bonuses or pays that may exist?

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[MaxAnn]

I have a related question: The Army recruiter told me that the monthly stipend for the hpsp was around $1300 as did the Navy, but the Air Force recruiter said that it was $1400 or so.

Are there different stipend amounts for different branches or are some recruiters just not using up to date information?

 

[jmill0]

Pay is the same across the board, whether it be HPSP stipend or active duty pay. The ONLY difference is the housing allowance. This depends if you have dependents (married and/or children) as well as location. All bonuses are the same.

 

[shamrock2006]

i think the stipend right now is roughly 1319...and it goes up a little bit every june I believe...although its not really that big of an increase.

 

[shamrock2006]

oh...and there is also specialty pay....so if ur an orthodontist...you'll get your base pay, allowances, etc...plus added pay for your specialty. I dont know how much it is though. And I've also heard it's easier to get promoted as a specialist.

 

[SquidsLife]

I have a related question: The Army recruiter told me that the monthly stipend for the hpsp was around $1300 as did the Navy, but the Air Force recruiter said that it was $1400 or so.

Are there different stipend amounts for different branches or are some recruiters just not using up to date information?

Those guys are just rounding the dollar amount to the nearest hundred. Actually, as a recruitment strategy, the Air Force recruiter is doing a better job by rounding up the dollar amount...making it sound better than it really is. Maybe THAT's why the Air Force fills their slots faster than the other branches

 

[SquidsLife]

oh...and there is also specialty pay....so if ur an orthodontist...you'll get your base pay, allowances, etc...plus added pay for your specialty. I dont know how much it is though. And I've also heard it's easier to get promoted as a specialist.

Well, there's a big difference between being a specialist and being a board certified specialist as far as money goes. You only get the extra money if you're board certified. Being a specialist plays a big part in multi-year retention bonus (MRB)..check this site out and scroll down to dental officers

http://www.militaryconnection.com/2007-pay-charts/2007-medical-dental-pay.asp

Did you know that the military gives a higher MRB to a comp/operative dentist than an orthodontist? What a joke, right? It's the military way of trying to get general dentist's to stay in longer....they are more necessary than any other type of dentist...a "go anywhere jack of all trades".

 

[MaxAnn]

Squids,

What do you mean a comp/operative dentist? Does only the Navy have this type of certification? I am curious.

 

[Midoc]

Squids,

What do you mean a comp/operative dentist? Does only the Navy have this type of certification? I am curious.

He is talking about the 63 bravos. The guys who did the 2 year AEGD programs.

 

[MaxAnn]

I don't understand. Can you elaborate?

 

[Midoc]

Go to http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/aroffjobs/bldental.htm and read the entry for Comprehensive Dentist (second on the list).

 

[shamrock2006]

ok so let me ask a few things about these websites posted above. For the comprehensive dentists as an example, are these things basically geared towards those who believe they will make a career in the military? Are these ways of trying to get dentists to stay in longer? What makes that 2 year AEGD program better than doing the 1 year?

 

[MaxAnn]

Go to http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/aroffjobs/bldental.htm and read the entry for Comprehensive Dentist (second on the list).

Thanks for the link. It was informative, but I does each branch offer the 2yr AEGD leading to the comprehensive dentist 63 B designation, or is it only the Army?

 

[Midoc]

Shamrock - If someone wishes to stay in the military and do their 20 years, there is a very strong push to specialize. You're correct that the 2 year program is primarily geared toward this need. The two year program is more academically oriented and you get more exposure to orthodontic treatments than the 1 year program.

Thanks for the link. It was informative, but I does each branch offer the 2yr AEGD leading to the comprehensive dentist 63 B designation, or is it only the Army?

On the same website I was able to find this information about the airforce comprehensive dentists.

For award of AFSC 47G3A, completion of a minimum of a 2 year residency in general dentistry, acceptable to the Surgeon General, HQ USAF. For award of AFSC 47G3B, completion of the USAF Advanced Clinical Dentistry Program.

And on the following website is information about the navy comprehensive dentist.
http://www.bethesda.med.navy.mil/Careers/Postgraduate_Dental_School/Comprehensive_Dentistry/

 

[SquidsLife]

I don't really know how the other branches operate. The comprehensive dentistry program (2 years) for the Navy is an inservice program at Bethesda. The operative dentistry program for the Navy is an outservice program that is 2 years as well (more biomaterials exposure for the operative program). I've heard that the Air Force program is better than the Navy comp program...more clinical exposure to advanced procedures.

Anyways, my whole point earlier was that the military is paying more $$ to folks who do these programs with the multi-year retention bonus.....meaning the military WANTS more of these types of dentists, especially in the current state of downsizing....the ultimate general dentist.....drill,fill, and kill

 

[MaxAnn]

I think you are right. A friend of mine at the Washington Navy Yard told me that the Navy is getting away from adding more specialists and concentrating on comprehensive dentists. I guess it makes sense, but I wonder is it really possible to be effective as a "jack of all trades?" The bonus money sure is a good incentive.

 

[dentalguy]

Go to http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/aroffjobs/bldental.htm and read the entry for Comprehensive Dentist (second on the list).

So now that I have been exposed to dentistry....1 year of dschool done!! I am strongly considering the 2 yr AEGD with the Army. A couple of questions,

Is the two year THAT much better than the 1 year AEGD?

Does the two year involve a research requirement or is it all clinical?

How competitive are the AEGD's (1 or 2 year)?

 

[MaxAnn]

I think the Army 2 Aegd is in Hawaii, but the hardest thing would be that the 2 year Aegd will not count towards payback time, which means you would have 6 years of active duty payback. However, this isn't that bad if you end up enjoying Army life and want to make it a career. I know a few people who had no interest in anytime of service past that payback, but found their calling in the military. Stranger things have happened.

 

[ChiefSchlep]

So now that I have been exposed to dentistry....1 year of dschool done!! I am strongly considering the 2 yr AEGD with the Army. A couple of questions,

Is the two year THAT much better than the 1 year AEGD?

Does the two year involve a research requirement or is it all clinical?

How competitive are the AEGD's (1 or 2 year)?

You may get paid more for the 2-yr AEGD, DentalGuy, but in your case they would dock you a "Schlep" fine for being the biggest schlep in the army. Its a title you are bound to be stuck with during your military tenure. The fine would counteract any bonus you receive for AEGD.

Have a good day.

 

[pmoney]

You may get paid more for the 2-yr AEGD, DentalGuy, but in your case they would dock you a "Schlep" fine for being the biggest schlep in the army. Its a title you are bound to be stuck with during your military tenure. The fine would counteract any bonus you receive for AEGD.

Have a good day.

What does schlep fine mean in layman's terms?

 

[dentalguy]

What does schlep fine mean in layman's terms?

Schlep in laymans terms= a dental student who wants to be as good as dentalguy but can never develop his hand skills as fast as dentalguy

A schlep also would not be granted any mercy when dentalguy decides to bring the pain train